AFL could see less FTA time

AFL fans could see less games on free-to-air TV in 2017, with reports 11 Saturday afternoon matches will only be shown on pay-tv channel Fox Footy.

The AFL were confident Fox would be able to on-sell the matches when the deal was signed, however negotiations between the subscription-based broadcaster and the Ten Network are said to have stalled, according to Fairfax Media.

It is believed Foxtel was willing to accept a lower offer from Ten in exchange for the pay-tv network being allowed to broadcast some of cricket’s Big Bash League matches.

However, it is believed Ten does not wish to give away its biggest summer drawcard.

If negotiations were to fall through, it would leave just three games broadcast on FTA TV for 11 weeks of the season, down from the four that are currently shown on the Seven Network.

Seven has produced a $900 million package to the AFL to show one Friday night, one Saturday night and one Sunday afternoon game each weekend between 2017 and 2022.

They will also televise each Thursday night match and all public holiday games, leaving 11 weekends open for Ten to broadcast the Saturday afternoon match.

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